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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$28 – $36 vs. ~$85 – $100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +18 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$61 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/8 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).